Proud Ponting: Bring it on

Australia captain Ricky Ponting believes his players will handle the pressure of their first Test match at Lord's on Thursday.

Ponting is one of just four players in Australia's 16-man squad to have played a Test on the hallowed turf in north-west London, along with vice-captain Michael Clarke, Simon Katich and veteran paceman Brett Lee.

Lee has been ruled out of the second Ashes Test with the same rib injury that sidelined him for the first Test in Cardiff, meaning the tourists will field at least eight players who are yet to play a Test at the historic venue.

Australia do, however, have a tremendous record at Lord's having not lost a Test there since 1934 and, while Ponting admits his players will feel honoured to try to emulate the past deeds of their countrymen, he does not expect them to be overwhelmed.

"We will enjoy the prospect of coming here," Ponting said.

"For some of us it is the fifth or sixth occasion that we will play here but there are plenty of guys in our group that are coming to Lord's for the first time.

"So there's a great feeling about the place and we are looking forward to the Test match. All the players will be ready for it."

Ponting has twice met England at Lord's in a Test match and while he led Australia to success there four years ago his personal record does not read so well.

The 34-year-old Tasmanian averages just 17.50 in four innings with a top score of 42.

It is a record the Australia skipper admits is a source of some anguish and he would dearly love to score a century that would ensure his name is embossed in gold on the Lord's Pavilion's honours board for the first time.

He added: "That'd be nice. I won't be preparing any more than any other game though.

"I've played two Tests here before and I haven't managed to get my name on the board, so it would be nice to try and get that.

"I'll go away and just prepare the same way that I always do."

Australia will not make a final decision on their starting XI until the toss, although changes are unlikely after their dominant performance in Cardiff was only denied by James Anderson and Monty Panesar's last-wicket stand.

Lee had hoped to force his way back by proving his fitness, but Ponting confirmed he would have to wait at least until the third Test at Edgbaston to make a return.

"He didn't train with us yesterday and that means he won't be available for selection," he said.

"We've not finalised out XI yet, that is something that we will wait for the toss tomorrow to decide.

"We played a very good game last week. If I was rating the game then I probably would have given it a nine out of 10 with the way we played.

"It was an excellent display of Test match cricket from the whole group."